FILM SCREENINGS AT ABBEY ROAD ON THE RIVER REVEAL UNTOLD BEATLES STORIES

“Beatles Stories”, “Nowhere Boy” and “Parting Ways” will be shown at the festival

Louisville, KY (May 17, 2011) – “Beatles Stories” is a fascinating 75-minute documentary that follows Director Seth Swirsky as he conducts interviews with 55 famous (and not-so famous) people who share their unique and intimate encounters with one or all of the Fab Four during their heyday and beyond. Following its world premiere in Paris, France at the 2011 European Independent Film Festival, and its North American Premiere at the Newport Beach Film Festival, the film will be shown at this year’s WHAS-11 Abbey Road on the River in Louisville on Thursday, May 27th at 11:00pm, on Friday, May 28th at 11:00am and at 6:00pm, on Saturday, May 28th at 11:00am, and on Sunday, May 29th at 2:00pm. A Q&A session with the Swirsky will be held on Saturday, May 28th at 12:45pm.

During his five year labor of love journey to document “Beatles Stories,” Swirsky traveled from Los Angeles to New York to London to Liverpool to conduct more than 100 interviews (only 55 made the cut) with rock and pop legends (Brian Wilson, Graham Nash, Art Garfunkel, Smokey Robinson), actors (Sir Ben Kingsley, Jon Voight), media personalities, Beatles intimates, and even a former First Daughter. Many of the recollections are compelling. Graham Nash talks about his invitation to the TV broadcast of the Beatle’s new song, “All You Need is Love” and being a part of a magical, star studded experience. George Harrison’s first girlfriend, from before he was in the band, talks about how sweet George was as a 14 year old. Henry Winkler recounts a random meeting with Paul McCartney on a New York street where the Beatle was as happy to meet “The Fonz” as Winkler was to meet him. With this documentary Swirsky gives the viewer the chance to be a fly on the wall from those magical days gone by. This is a must-see film for anyone who loves the Beatles, or for anyone who wished they could have been there in the swinging 60’s, living the life that so few got to experience.

Abbey Road on the River festival goers can also see a screening of the 98-minute award-winning documentary film “Nowhere Boy,” a chronicle that captures and conveys the crucial formative years of John Lennon. The film depicts the events and personal circumstances that led to the formation of the Beatles, and the underlying family currents that shaped and molded the creative and inspirational qualities of John Lennon. With a script and perspectives drawn from a variety of impeccable sources and its authenticity endorsed by those who knew John Lennon best, it is the first film to allow admirers to — in the words of one of Lennon’s last and most personal songs — understand the little child inside the man. The film was released in 2009 and directed by Sam Taylor-Wood, and will be shown on Friday, May 27th at 2:00pm and 8:00pm, on Saturday, May 28th at 1:00pm and 5:00pm, and Sunday, May 29th at 4:00pm.

“Parting Ways: An Unauthorized Story of Life After the Beatles,” is an award-winning look at the lives of the Fab Four after their breakup, and chronicles how each member went on to become front men for other bands, film producers, and actors. The 51-minute film, which was released in 2010, will be shown on Friday, May 27th at 4:00pm and 10:00pm, on Saturday, May 28th at 1:00pm and 7:00pm, and on Sunday, May 29th at 6:00pm.

WHAS-11 Abbey Road on the River, a five day music festival celebrating the greatest rock band of all time, will be held at the Belvedere and Galt House Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky from May 26th to May 30th. Tickets for the world’s largest Beatles tribute festival are currently on sale at www.abbeyroadontheriver.com, and discounted tickets are available at 44 Kroger stores in the Louisville area and at The Louisville Visitor Center, located at 301 S. 4th Street. Families who want to take advantage of a money saving incentive need to purchase tickets in advance to receive free admission for one 21 and under guest with each regular ticketholder.

WHAS11 Abbey Road on the River, named a Top 10 event for 2011 by The Kentucky Travel Industry Association and the Southeast Tourism Society, is sponsored by The Galt House Hotel & Suites, the Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau, 107.7 SFR Classic Rock, The Courier-Journal and www.courier-journal.com, with additional support from Gretsch Guitar, Republic Bank, and MillerCoors.